The German government and its industries still use the apprenticeship method and the government gives companies incentives to hire and train for specific industries. How can you expect people to get these jobs if they are never qualified and industry wants schools and technical institutes to do all the training? It should be a joint program.

The federal government should be doing the same thing. People who are unemployed can’t afford to train themselves.

I ride the seawall three times a week on average and rarely see bikes or rollerbladers on the walking path. I do however see numerous walkers on the bike path.

On Sunday, I counted 18 people walking or standing in the bike path during my approximately eight-kilometre ride. This is normal, with the amount being higher in the summer.

Mr. McKay should spend sometime correcting his fellow walkers instead of complaining about a biker problem that barely exists. The demarcation of the seawall for bikers and walkers is quite clear and not all of us just like to walk.

I totally agree that cyclists — at least some cyclists — are a problem but the current city council appears to believe that drivers and pedestrians are less important than cyclists. It is unrealistic to suppose that pedestrians and drivers will all become cyclists. Bicycles have a place in the scheme of things but they will never be more than a minor part of a transportation system.

West Vancouver dealt with the conflict problem on their seawall by banning bikes. I often walk on their seawall as it is now a pleasant, non-threatening place to walk.

Terry McLean, Vancouver

Sick of special treatment for cyclists

I agree with your editorial. I live in Yaletown, on the seawall, and as a taxpayer and citizen of our wonderful city I am fed up with the cyclists being treated as Vision’s “special citizens.”

There are now plans to put a bike lane down Drake to the seawall. Also included are lanes to go through David Lam and the Drake and Marinaside parks. Our neighbourhood is up in arms and want these plans stopped.

The mayor and council are not listening. Where are all the funds coming from? Our parks and the seawall are being neglected, plants are rotting and there are weeds and filth every where. Yet there are lots of dollars available for new bike lanes. Enough is enough,

Larry Izen, Vancouver

Cars, trucks, make our society work

I get the fact that some people, like letter-writer Valerie Clark, believe that getting cars, trucks and people into Vancouver on something other than transit or a bicycle is regressive.

But those people need to realize that their supplies to live, be they food, clothing or technology, etc., must arrive on some form of transportation. I can’t say I’ve seen toilet paper being delivered to grocery stores on bicycle.

The constant traffic congestion needs to be relieved to eliminate idling and lost revenue. We need access to the Lower Mainland and you need access out in case of a disaster. Oh, and let’s ensure that when tourists from outside of the Lower Mainland visit, their first impression will be a good one. Few tourists arrive on transit or bicycle.

Sonya Rook, Chilliwack

No sympathy for Khadrs

Unlike Jack Hallam, I do not feel sorry for (former Guantanamo Bay detainee and war criminal) Omar Khadr or his family.

This family’s hypocritical denunciation of the West, their membership in a terrorist organization and their criminal activity is well documented.

Mr. Hallam can leave Khadr money in his will as he sees fit, but his assumption that Khadr might not approve of his lifestyle is correct. The organization Khadr belonged too would prove it with a public execution.

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